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Valdosta State University News Now

Fletcher completes planned giving seminars

Sandra Fletcher, Valdosta State University's director of Planned
Giving, recently completed the series of eight planned giving
seminars offered by the National Planned Giving Institute (NPGI) at
the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

"NPGI graduates are helping to increase the professionalism of
those encouraging philanthropic support of America's worthy
non-profit institutions," said the late Robert F. Sharpe, Sr.,
founder of the institute.

Fletcher joined VSU in November 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Arts
in history and political science from Valdosta State. Formerly, she
worked as a trust administrator and department manager for First
National Bank and First Union in Valdosta and also as a certified
residential real estate appraiser and realtor.

The NPGI, founded in 1967, is the nation's leading provider of
instruction in charitable gift and estate planning for gift
planners.

Students conduct astronomical research

Two students and a Valdosta State University professor are
currently in Kitt Peak, Az., studying asteroids as part of a VSU
summer program.

Jean Pierre Nogues of Yale University and Larry Arbuckle of the
Florida Institute of Technology are conducting research alongside
Dr. Martha Leake of VSU's Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences
Department. The team is working at the Southern Association for
Research in Astronomy's telescope as part of a Research Experience
for Undergraduates initiative.

Funding is provided through the National Science Foundation. The
team returns to VSU June 19, when they will compile their
findings.

VSU hosts OSHA construction safety seminar

Valdosta State University will host a free Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) seminar from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 23 in
the Regional Center for Continuing Education Auditorium.

The event is co-sponsored by VSU Continuing Education and the
Georgia Tech OSHA Consulting Program, in conjunction with OSHA's
Atlanta East, West and Savannah Area Offices. This seminar is
designed to help small to mid-size contracting companies reduce the
number of accidents and comply with OSHA standards. The focus will
be on the prevention of illnesses and injuries due to falls,
electrocutions, struck-by or against equipment, silica and lead
exposure. Continuing education credits will be offered.

Harold and Patsy Jackson, parents of Ben Jackson-the Valdosta State
University baseball player killed Aug. 8, 1999 by lightning-have
donated six portable lightning detectors to the VSU Athletic
Department in memory of their son.

Jackson was struck by lightning while in Thomasville playing in a
non-VSU summer league baseball game.

According to Russ Hoff, director of VSU Sports Medicine, the
Jacksons' donated one detector at the start of baseball season and,
after seeing the need for additional units, donated five more
detectors.

The decision to have portable versus permanent units was due to the
different venues that need this type of detection device and the
various teams' traveling schedules, Hoff said. "When we travel to
other schools they don't have lightning detectors to use and having
portable ones is very beneficial. We play away as much as we do at
home."

The equipment was tested extensively during baseball season to
determine the best method, policy and procedure for using the
units, according to Hoff.

"Currently there is not a lightning policy in the Gulf South
Conference-it's based on the official's judgment," Hoff said. "The
officials have been very receptive and it makes it easier on them
to make a decision."

The units, which are 3-by-6 inches and cost approximately $200
each, can detect lightning strikes from up to forty miles away,
according to Hoff. The Athletic Department staff monitors the units
and if there are two or three consecutive detections of lightning
in an 8-20 mile radius, a request is made to clear the field, Hoff
said.

Hoff said other schools in the Gulf South Conference have already
been taking note of the lightning detectors and have been calling
to find out where they can purchase this type of equipment.

"We are very grateful to the Jackson family for their donation,"
Hoff said. "It will help educate other schools and individuals
about lightning."

VSU athletics officials see the donation as a fitting tribute to a
fine student.

"Ben was a nice young man with great courtesy and respect for
everyone," said Tommy Thomas, Blazer head baseball coach. "And, he
was just as respected by his peers."

"If we can help some other kids like Ben, then that's what we want
to do," said Harold Jackson, Ben's father. "We think Ben would have
wanted us to do this."

Fall semester classes begin soon

VSU's fall semester classes begin Aug. 16, but there is still time
to apply. The priority application deadline is Aug. 1.

For more information and a schedule of orientation and registration
sessions, contact the Admissions Office at 333-5791. For additional
details on VSU, check out the World Wide Web site at http://www.valdosta.edu.